Negotiate Your Way To A Job You Love

Received a job offer that made your heart skip a beat? 😮 But felt that the proposal could be stronger? 🤔

No, we’re not just talking about salary. From budget management, access to resources, to decision-making matters, there’s a long list of employment conditions that can be negotiated to your advantage 💪

It takes a lot of courage to negotiate a better job offer with your hiring manager (kudos to you if you tried!). And trust me, you’ll want to conduct yourself in a way that will leave a lasting positive impression least it comes back to bite you 😨 It’s a small world after all 🎶

Whether it’s the job of your dreams or something you are having second thoughts about, here are a couple of handy tips on when to seal the deal—and when not to.

What’s your worth?

Ever wondered what your experience and skills mean in today’s day and age? 🤷 Are you a fresh graduate, doing a career switch or have vast knowledge within an industry? The marketing course you attended last year, is it still relevant today? Do you have a portfolio or a strong performance record? 🤷‍♂️

Here’s the thing, you ought to know the price you can put on your experience and skills. Hence, before the interview, do take some time to research and evaluate how much they are worth in today’s market demand. That way you would know what you are getting yourself into or if you’re low-balled.

Patience is a virtue

It is pretty standard for hiring managers to ask for a response within the next 24 hours, but that doesn’t mean you must say yes on the get-go 🌚🌝

When you are extended an offer, do ask for time to consider it. Don’t jump the gun! 🙅‍♂️ Also, ask for a deadline by which you have to make a decision. Take this time to think about the job offer, not just the salary. From the company culture, work hours to job responsibilities, there’s much to weigh out on.

Tip: A little pushback of two to three days should be alright. If they insist on a 24-hour timeline and use hardball tactics, that sounds out a red flag 🤨 Remember, this is a significant decision, and you need time to think about it, even if you know you want the job!

“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while we’re waiting” — Joyce Meyer

Know when to stop pushing

Especially if you’re discussing it with your prospective employer, try to strike a balance between getting what you want and reading the room. How to read a room, you ask? 🤷‍♂️ A general rule of thumb, it’s not the question that matters but the questioner’s intent.

For instance, a hiring manager who asks whether you are actively searching for other alternatives may be interested in knowing if they even have the slightest chance of having you on their team. On the other hand, if an employer who asks if you would take a small pay cut may be interested in hiring you but you’re out of their budget, and is looking to compromise.

Usually, hiring managers will extend the most minimal offer 🧐 That’s not because they undermine you, but it’s their job to stay within the budget as well as employ excellent talents.

To negotiate, accept or decline?

Above all, do understand that every situation is different. You need to carefully weigh out the pros and cons as you consider a job offer. How badly do you want or need this job? A piece of personal advice: Don’t get fixated on money. I know, easier said than done. But there’s so much more in a job than just a salary and work benefits, wouldn’t you agree? 😌

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